Oh great idea, let's pretend there's nothing to fear by making fun of it, because after all, there is no deficit, we aren't going bankrupt, there are no jobs being lost, there are no people suffering, the next generation has nothing to worry about financially and Keynesian economics are obviously taking us straight to prosperity!

What an insult to every American. He should be ashamed of himself. I'm pity you for finding it even remotely humorous.

mocktwinkie saidOh great idea, let's pretend there's nothing to fear by making fun of it, because after all, there is no deficit, we aren't going bankrupt, there are no jobs being lost, there are no people suffering, the next generation has nothing to worry about financially and Keynesian economics are obviously taking us straight to prosperity!

What an insult to every American. He should be ashamed of himself. I'm sorry you find it humorous.

Actually, Jon Stewart has long been a vocal critic of the viciously partisan politics that have only worsened in America over the last decade. That's what the rally is poking fun at, not the state of the country.

mocktwinkie saidOh great idea, let's pretend there's nothing to fear by making fun of it, because after all, there is no deficit, we aren't going bankrupt, there are no jobs being lost, there are no people suffering, the next generation has nothing to worry about financially and Keynesian economics are obviously taking us straight to prosperity!

What an insult to every American. He should be ashamed of himself. I'm sorry you find it humorous.

Actually, Jon Stewart has long been a vocal critic of the viciously partisan politics that have only worsened in America over the last decade. That's what the rally is poking fun at, not the state of the country.

mocktwinkie saidOh great idea, let's pretend there's nothing to fear by making fun of it, because after all, there is no deficit, we aren't going bankrupt, there are no jobs being lost, there are no people suffering, the next generation has nothing to worry about financially and Keynesian economics are obviously taking us straight to prosperity!

What an insult to every American. He should be ashamed of himself. I'm sorry you find it humorous.

Actually, Jon Stewart has long been a vocal critic of the viciously partisan politics that have only worsened in America over the last decade. That's what the rally is poking fun at, not the state of the country.

I'm talking about Colbert's campaign.

Well, that's his whole shtick. Making fun of the conservatives in their own words and style. It's pretty damn funny.

mocktwinkie saidOh great idea, let's pretend there's nothing to fear by making fun of it, because after all, there is no deficit, we aren't going bankrupt, there are no jobs being lost, there are no people suffering, the next generation has nothing to worry about financially and Keynesian economics are obviously taking us straight to prosperity!

What an insult to every American. He should be ashamed of himself. I'm sorry you find it humorous.

Actually, Jon Stewart has long been a vocal critic of the viciously partisan politics that have only worsened in America over the last decade. That's what the rally is poking fun at, not the state of the country.

I'm talking about Colbert's campaign.

Well, that's his whole shtick. Making fun of the conservatives in their own words and style. It's pretty damn funny.

But the fear is not baseless, it's real. I'm scared for my generation and what we will have to face. We will be swimming in debt if something is not done now. It's going to be painful but increased social darwinism is on its way one way or the other -- whether voluntarily or involuntarily through spending, living beyond our means as a nation, perpetuating an illusion of prosperity by robbing future generations and supporting that which cannot be supported or sustained long-term. Dismantle now or collapse later, we have the choice.

mocktwinkie saidOh great idea, let's pretend there's nothing to fear by making fun of it, because after all, there is no deficit, we aren't going bankrupt, there are no jobs being lost, there are no people suffering, the next generation has nothing to worry about financially and Keynesian economics are obviously taking us straight to prosperity!

What an insult to every American. He should be ashamed of himself. I'm sorry you find it humorous.

Actually, Jon Stewart has long been a vocal critic of the viciously partisan politics that have only worsened in America over the last decade. That's what the rally is poking fun at, not the state of the country.

mocktwinkie saidOh great idea, let's pretend there's nothing to fear by making fun of it, because after all, there is no deficit, we aren't going bankrupt, there are no jobs being lost, there are no people suffering, the next generation has nothing to worry about financially and Keynesian economics are obviously taking us straight to prosperity!

What an insult to every American. He should be ashamed of himself. I'm sorry you find it humorous.

Actually, Jon Stewart has long been a vocal critic of the viciously partisan politics that have only worsened in America over the last decade. That's what the rally is poking fun at, not the state of the country.

But the fear is not baseless, it's real. I'm scared for my generation and what we will have to face. We will be swimming in debt if something is not done now. It's going to be painful but increased social darwinism is on its way one way or the other -- whether voluntarily or involuntarily through spending, living beyond our means as a nation, perpetuating an illusion of prosperity by robbing future generations and supporting that which cannot be supported or sustained long-term. Dismantle now or collapse later, we have the choice.

That's your perception and philosophy. There are other options. Increased taxes on the wealthy, a true jobs bill, taxing derivatives and other exotic financial instruments. Lots of stuff could be done to avoid that without eliminating the minor social safety nets that we still have.

But the fear is not baseless, it's real. I'm scared for my generation and what we will have to face. We will be swimming in debt if something is not done now. It's going to be painful but increased social darwinism is on its way one way or the other -- whether voluntarily or involuntarily through spending, living beyond our means as a nation, perpetuating an illusion of prosperity by robbing future generations and supporting that which cannot be supported or sustained long-term. Dismantle now or collapse later, we have the choice.

That's your perception and philosophy. There are other options. Increased taxes on the wealthy, a true jobs bill, taxing derivatives and other exotic financial instruments. Lots of stuff could be done to avoid that without eliminating the minor social safety nets that we still have.

Absolute nonsense. Raising taxes on the very rich does nothing but encourage them to hide their money and diversify to pay less taxes and the burden keeps rising for the moderately wealthy class which supplies the bulk of jobs, subsequently impacting and effecting the working class. Your plan is to kill the American dream which rests on the incentive that you can have whatever you want if you work hard enough and make enough. You want to erode the core principles driving a capitalistic society by having a system where the government will increasingly take from those who have to give to those who have not made the same sacrifices. The capitalistic American dream cannot have a guarantee to function properly, it is where you try your best and you may fail or succeed, you may lose or win. To try to implement a system where there can't be individual failure or responsibilities for personal choices is to create precisely that - failure. You're a foolish bonafide idealist and you obviously intend to remain that way.

But the fear is not baseless, it's real. I'm scared for my generation and what we will have to face. We will be swimming in debt if something is not done now. It's going to be painful but increased social darwinism is on its way one way or the other -- whether voluntarily or involuntarily through spending, living beyond our means as a nation, perpetuating an illusion of prosperity by robbing future generations and supporting that which cannot be supported or sustained long-term. Dismantle now or collapse later, we have the choice.

That's your perception and philosophy. There are other options. Increased taxes on the wealthy, a true jobs bill, taxing derivatives and other exotic financial instruments. Lots of stuff could be done to avoid that without eliminating the minor social safety nets that we still have.

Absolute nonsense. Raising taxes on the very rich does nothing but encourage them to hide their money and diversify to pay less taxes and the burden keeps rising for the moderately wealthy class which supplies the bulk of jobs, subsequently impacting and effecting the working class. Your plan is to kill the American dream which rests on the incentive that you can have whatever you want if you work hard enough and make enough. You want to erode the core principles driving a capitalistic society by having a system where the government will increasingly take from those who have to give to those who have not made the same sacrifices. The capitalistic American dream cannot have a guarantee to function properly, it is where you try your best and you may fail or succeed, you may lose or win. To try to implement a system where there can't be individual failure or responsibilities for personal choices is to create precisely that - failure. You're a foolish bonafide idealist and you obviously intend to remain that way.

What are you rambling about?

Please read a history book, for our sake if not your own. Every major economic expansion in the history of this country followed two things: Increased regulation on whatever business had gone ape shit crazy in recent decades and increased taxes on said business and the wealthiest Americans.

That never a) stopped job creation or b) stifled the American dream.

What stifles the American dream is the continued outsourcing of jobs, the fact that 40% of ALL corporate profits go to the financial services industry, and corporations deciding to pay their management and shareholders outsized profits instead of creating job, investing in research and development or product creation.

I have thought of going. But it is going to be mobbed and the subway is going to be mobbed. Plus I prolly can see it better on TV. I dont think I really want to drag my fanny over there and stand all day...unless someone goes with me....then maybe.

mocktwinkie saidOh great idea, let's pretend there's nothing to fear by making fun of it, because after all, there is no deficit, we aren't going bankrupt, there are no jobs being lost, there are no people suffering, the next generation has nothing to worry about financially and Keynesian economics are obviously taking us straight to prosperity!

What an insult to every American. He should be ashamed of himself. I'm sorry you find it humorous.

Actually, Jon Stewart has long been a vocal critic of the viciously partisan politics that have only worsened in America over the last decade. That's what the rally is poking fun at, not the state of the country.

But the fear is not baseless, it's real. I'm scared for my generation and what we will have to face. We will be swimming in debt if something is not done now. It's going to be painful but increased social darwinism is on its way one way or the other -- whether voluntarily or involuntarily through spending, living beyond our means as a nation, perpetuating an illusion of prosperity by robbing future generations and supporting that which cannot be supported or sustained long-term. Dismantle now or collapse later, we have the choice.

That's your perception and philosophy. There are other options. Increased taxes on the wealthy, a true jobs bill, taxing derivatives and other exotic financial instruments. Lots of stuff could be done to avoid that without eliminating the minor social safety nets that we still have.

Absolute nonsense. Raising taxes on the very rich does nothing but encourage them to hide their money and diversify to pay less taxes and the burden keeps rising for the moderately wealthy class which supplies the bulk of jobs, subsequently impacting and effecting the working class. Your plan is to kill the American dream which rests on the incentive that you can have whatever you want if you work hard enough and make enough. You want to erode the core principles driving a capitalistic society by having a system where the government will increasingly take from those who have to give to those who have not made the same sacrifices. The capitalistic American dream cannot have a guarantee to function properly, it is where you try your best and you may fail or succeed, you may lose or win. To try to implement a system where there can't be individual failure or responsibilities for personal choices is to create precisely that - failure. You're a foolish bonafide idealist and you obviously intend to remain that way.

What are you rambling about?

Please read a history book, for our sake if not your own. Every major economic expansion in the history of this country followed two things: Increased regulation on whatever business had gone ape shit crazy in recent decades and increased taxes on said business and the wealthiest Americans.

That never a) stopped job creation or b) stifled the American dream.

What stifles the American dream is the continued outsourcing of jobs, the fact that 40% of ALL corporate profits go to the financial services industry, and corporations deciding to pay their management and shareholders outsized profits instead of creating job, investing in research and development or product creation.

Christian73 said There are other options. Increased taxes on the wealthy, a true jobs bill, taxing derivatives and other exotic financial instruments. Lots of stuff could be done to avoid that without eliminating the minor social safety nets that we still have.

It's always "more taxes, more taxes, more taxes" and never CUT SPENDING!

You know I'm in favor of cutting spending on the military and defense contractors as well as a review of all programs at the federal level. Sadly, the very candidates you have sworn to vote in come November will never do that and are even more hawkish than who they will be replacing, so your taxes are going to go up to pay for the war with Iran. And to further enrich Eric Prince and other Christian fundamentalists who hate you because you suck cock. But, please vote for Marco Rubio because he'll take your money and your rights.

Please read a history book, for our sake if not your own. Every major economic expansion in the history of this country followed two things: Increased regulation on whatever business had gone ape shit crazy in recent decades and increased taxes on said business and the wealthiest Americans.

That never a) stopped job creation or b) stifled the American dream.

What stifles the American dream is the continued outsourcing of jobs, the fact that 40% of ALL corporate profits go to the financial services industry, and corporations deciding to pay their management and shareholders outsized profits instead of creating job, investing in research and development or product creation.

Oh yes, that's why we're booming right now! Gosh, you're delusional.

WE're not "booming now" because the financial services industry destroyed the economy. Oh, and the corporate masters you love won't put money into the economy because they're angry at Obama for chastising their reprehensible behavior that nearly destroyed the global economy. Oh, and then Republicans that you want to blow have been obstructionist asshats for two years and have no ideas or policies or anything besides tax cuts for their wealthy corporate masters. And, they hate America. And, you, because you're gay and suck cock. And are going to Hell. Ask Sharron Angle.

Christian73 said There are other options. Increased taxes on the wealthy, a true jobs bill, taxing derivatives and other exotic financial instruments. Lots of stuff could be done to avoid that without eliminating the minor social safety nets that we still have.

It's always "more taxes, more taxes, more taxes" and never CUT SPENDING!

It's probably not as simple as that; the solution should probably be "better investments" rather than simply "raise taxes" or "cut spending".

Besides- I don't know about you or how you live, but personally, I like paying taxes so that I can have public sewers so that I don't have to take a dump in an outhouse. Besides- if you're the typical conservative that you seem to be, then I have to mention that even Reagan raised taxes eventually.

NewsweekIn 1981, the former California governor swept into office promising to slash taxes to their lowest-ever levels—and with the Economic Recovery Tax Act, that’s exactly what he did. When Reagan arrived in the White House, the top marginal tax rate was 70 percent; by 1987 it was 38.5 percent (roughly the same as the rate under Bill Clinton)...

In 1982, Reagan agreed to restore a third of the previous year’s massive cut. It was the largest tax increase in U.S. history. In 1983, he raised the gasoline tax by five cents a gallon and instituted a payroll-tax hike that helped fund Medicare and Social Security. In 1984, he eliminated loopholes worth $50 billion over three years. And in 1986, he supported the progressive Tax Reform Act, which hit businesses with a record-breaking $420 billion in new fees. When it came to taxation, there were two Reagans: the pre-1982 version, who did more than any other president to lighten America’s tax burden, and his post-1982 doppelgänger, who was willing (if not always happy) to compensate for gaps in the government’s revenue stream by raising rates.

Besides- is it better to invest in schools, which can lead to better jobs in the long run, or is it better to invest in car plants, such as the KIA plant in Georgia, which provide rather blue collar jobs in the short run as well as the long run, but it doesn't provide that much income- especially in a recession where people buy less new cars?

Please read a history book, for our sake if not your own. Every major economic expansion in the history of this country followed two things: Increased regulation on whatever business had gone ape shit crazy in recent decades and increased taxes on said business and the wealthiest Americans.

That never a) stopped job creation or b) stifled the American dream.

What stifles the American dream is the continued outsourcing of jobs, the fact that 40% of ALL corporate profits go to the financial services industry, and corporations deciding to pay their management and shareholders outsized profits instead of creating job, investing in research and development or product creation.

Oh yes, that's why we're booming right now! Gosh, you're delusional.

WE're not "booming now" because the financial services industry destroyed the economy. Oh, and the corporate masters you love won't put money into the economy because they're angry at Obama for chastising their reprehensible behavior that nearly destroyed the global economy. Oh, and then Republicans that you want to blow have been obstructionist asshats for two years and have no ideas or policies or anything besides tax cuts for their wealthy corporate masters. And, they hate America. And, you, because you're gay and suck cock. And are going to Hell. Ask Sharron Angle.

I cant read all the blather you all put out, but I am going to give you all one concise response.

The economy is in the shape it is in because the financial sector of the US conducted its business in a totally irresponsible manner. It all came crashing down, but the heads and execs of all these financial institutions didnt care because they had already scammed their money and had their golden parachutes. Obama and the Democrats have had to spend like crazy trying to keep the entire economy from crashing into a deep, deep depression. Complaining about the Dems spending is completely disingenuous on your part and the Republicans' part. This whole scenario from removing the financial sector restrictions put in place in the '30s, thru the Republican control gov't not overseeing the financial sector, to the Republicans being the advocates for big business, to the desperate effort by the Dems to clean up the mess the Republicans and the greedy financiers caused is totally the responsibility of the Republicans and their unquestioning support of big business. That's it. There aint no more!

Please read a history book, for our sake if not your own. Every major economic expansion in the history of this country followed two things: Increased regulation on whatever business had gone ape shit crazy in recent decades and increased taxes on said business and the wealthiest Americans.

That never a) stopped job creation or b) stifled the American dream.

What stifles the American dream is the continued outsourcing of jobs, the fact that 40% of ALL corporate profits go to the financial services industry, and corporations deciding to pay their management and shareholders outsized profits instead of creating job, investing in research and development or product creation.

Oh yes, that's why we're booming right now! Gosh, you're delusional.

WE're not "booming now" because the financial services industry destroyed the economy. Oh, and the corporate masters you love won't put money into the economy because they're angry at Obama for chastising their reprehensible behavior that nearly destroyed the global economy. Oh, and then Republicans that you want to blow have been obstructionist asshats for two years and have no ideas or policies or anything besides tax cuts for their wealthy corporate masters. And, they hate America. And, you, because you're gay and suck cock. And are going to Hell. Ask Sharron Angle.

Christian73 said There are other options. Increased taxes on the wealthy, a true jobs bill, taxing derivatives and other exotic financial instruments. Lots of stuff could be done to avoid that without eliminating the minor social safety nets that we still have.

It's always "more taxes, more taxes, more taxes" and never CUT SPENDING!

You know I'm in favor of cutting spending on the military and defense contractors as well as a review of all programs at the federal level. Sadly, the very candidates you have sworn to vote in come November will never do that and are even more hawkish than who they will be replacing, so your taxes are going to go up to pay for the war with Iran. And to further enrich Eric Prince and other Christian fundamentalists who hate you because you suck cock. But, please vote for Marco Rubio because he'll take your money and your rights.

Rubio will do nothing of the sort.

Sure... It's not like he's endorsed by avowedly anti-gay groups like the Florida Family Policy Council...

I have no idea if I should be flattered or insulted that you called me a politician. Because my definition of investment and theirs are totally different.

[quote]

Bullwinklemoos saidBesides- I don't know about you or how you live, but personally, I like paying taxes so that I can have public sewers so that I don't have to take a dump in an outhouse.

Is that all you want your taxes to pay for? Then great, you're overpaying by 99% (and by the way, your sewer is paid for not by the Feds, but by your state and local taxes, unless you live on some Federal government reservation somewhere).[/quote]

What made you think that's the only thing that I want? ;) That was called an example, silly. I can pull out other reasons why taxing can be good, like that I like that half of my education is technically paid for by the state of Minnesota so that I can attend a public university. That way, I can become an architect, a farmer (although that would defeat the purpose of a university), a businessman, a doctor, a scientist, etc. I also love my milk, so I'm cool with Agriculture subsidies, so that the prices of normal milk don't skyrocket to $5, 6, 7 per gallon.

[quote]

Bullwinklemoos saidBesides- if you're the typical conservative that you seem to be, then I have to mention that even Reagan raised taxes eventually.

[/quote]

Yep.... And it was a big mistake of his to go along with the Democrat controlled Congress on that one.[/quote]

Fair enough, but I have to ask- why?

[quote]

Bullwinklemoos saidBesides- is it better to invest in schools, which can lead to better jobs in the long run, or is it better to invest in car plants, such as the KIA plant in Georgia, which provide rather blue collar jobs in the short run as well as the long run, but it doesn't provide that much income- especially in a recession where people buy less new cars?

There's that word again... "invest."

Newark NJ public schools get the most "investment" per pupil than any other district in NJ... and they have the absolute worst outcomes per pupil.

"Investment" in education is just code for "growing the bureaucracy" and "lining the pockets of the teacher's union thugs."[/quote] I've always discussed poverty as a huge reason for this particular case. Newark and DC have incredibly high poverty and disinvestment rates. I went to a school in the Minneapolis suburbs that was incredibly diverse between middle class, upper class and poor. I knew students who were more worried about where they were going to sleep than when they were going to do homework. It's not easy, no, but I have also suggested- based on what I was told by someone- that if we treated Welfare the same way we treated the GI bill, it would benefit us. I still have yet to be proven wrong. Then again- I still have yet to be heard on this idea. Seriously- would it be better to give a little something something so that single parents won't find a need to work multiple jobs to make ends meet, maybe turn to the bottle, or so that they can help their children with their school work or watch over them?